NHL Daily Plays: Friday, December 12th
Happy Friday everyone! Who doesn’t like Fridays? Especially if you are heading to sunny Jamaica as I am Saturday morning. I need a week away from this cold and snow. I love hockey season, but hate winter. I will do my best to keep playing daily fantasy hockey while I am on the beach.
It is a typical quiet Friday night in the NHL with four games on the schedule. All three of Anaheim, Pittsburgh and Detroit are big favorites this evening, with only the Calgary Flames playing on consecutive nights. With eight teams hitting the ice there is enough hockey action to get involved in both cash games and GPPs tonight.
GOALTENDERS
Make sure to check the RotoGrinders Starting Goalies Page to confirm that the goalies listed below are starting prior to game time.
Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings – Howard has been brilliant in his last two games and gets to face one of weakest offenses in hockey tonight. Florida ranks 27th in goals per game (2.19) and they really lack any kind of scoring threat. The Red Wings are one of the best teams in the NHL on home ice (11-3-3) and I think they continue to roll tonight versus the Panthers. Look for a strong performance from Howard tonight and the all important win.
Other Goalies To Target (Cash Games) – Frederik Andersen, Marc-Andre Fleury
Other Goalies To Target (Tournaments) – Carey Price, Roberto Luongo
CENTER
Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks – Getzlaf is having another solid season (29 PTS in 29 GP) and is in the top 10 in both assists and points. The Oilers have been one of the worst defensive teams in hockey so far this season. Edmonton is 2nd last in goals against per game (3.34) and neither Victor Fasth (3.11 GAA, .896 SV%) nor Ben Scrivens (3.32 GAA, .886 SV%) are having a good season in net. Edmonton has lost 13 of their last 14 games and just appear to be lost as a team. I expect the Getzlaf and the Ducks to dominate this game from puck drop.
Pavel Datysuk, Detroit Red Wings – Datsyuk has been sensational since returning from his groin injury and has great numbers on the season (12 G, 22 PTS +8, 47 SOG in 18 GP). He is a magician with the puck and completely match-up proof. Datsyuk is a great play in any format tonight, thanks to his consistency and huge upside.
Other Centers To Target (Cash Games) – Evgeni Malkin, Henrik Zetterberg
Other Centers To Target (Tournaments) – Anze Kopitar, Sean Monahan, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
RIGHT WING
Devante Smith-Pelly, Anaheim Ducks – Ryan Getzlaf is one of the best playmakers in hockey, and Smith-Pelly has the pleasure of playing alongside him. With the injury to Corey Perry, I expect Smith-Pelly to remain on the top line and see an increase in powerplay time as well. Smith-Pelly makes a great value play tonight versus an awful Oilers squad.
Other Right Wingers To Target (Cash Games) – Johan Franzen, Jiri Hudler
Other Right Wingers To Target (Tournaments) – Jordan Eberle Tyler Toffoli, Brendan Gallagher
LEFT WING
Tomas Tatar, Detroit Red Wings – Tatar has quickly become a household name and he now has six points in five December games. Tatar has taken off since teaming up with Pavel Datsyuk and the two display great chemistry together. The Red Wings have been playing great hockey of late (7-2-1 in their last 10), thanks in large part to Tatar and his partner in crime (Datsyuk). Look for this dynamic duo to remain hot against Florida this evening.
Other Left Wingers To Target (Cash Games) – Gustav Nyquist, Matt Beleskey, Rene Bourque
Other Left Wingers To Target (Tournaments) – Max Pacioretty, Marian Gaborik, Taylor Hall
DEFENSE
Niklas Kronwall, Detroit Red Wings – Kronwall plays his best hockey at the Joe Louis arena (15 PTS in 17 GP with a +8 rating) and quarterbacks the league’s 10th best powerplay this season. Florida has played competitive hockey all year, but have an average penalty kill and sit in the bottom third in shots allowed per game. Kronwall is moderately priced and has multi-point upside.
Paul Martin, Pittsburgh Penguins – Martin saw time on Pittsburgh’s top powerplay unit last game and makes a tremendous value play on defense tonight. Hiller has really struggled after a hot start to the season and I think the Penguins score a few off of him tonight. With Martin manning the blue line on the powerplay (along with Christian Ehrhoff), you can expect him to be involved in the scoring. Calgary is playing on back-to-back nights and have now played three games in four nights. The Penguins meanwhile are well rested, and own a 9-4-1 record at the Consol Energy Center.
Other Defensemen To Target (Cash Games) – Mark Giordano, Sami Vatanen
Other Defensemen To Target (Tournaments) – Drew Doughty, Jake Muzzin, Andrei Markov
Good Luck Grinders!
Pepsi7